Jamie Goatley

Sunday, 30 July 2017

A common question asked by pearl buyers relates to different colored pearls and their suitability or otherwise for different skin colors and tones.

The answer in a single sentence

The answer in one sense is easy - "it depends"!

It should come as no surprise to anyone that personal tastes in terms of colors and color matching, are highly personal. One person might look at a color combination and say "marvelous" while another will proclaim "yeech".

So, if you're happy with your choice of pearl color for your skin color and tone then that's the only thing that counts.

So, no help exists?

Of course, it's not entirely so clear cut.

There are a few generally accepted facts relating to some colors of pearls and their suitability or otherwise some skin shades.

What colors do pearls come in?

This seemingly innocent question can be controversial. That's because some pearls have natural colors whilst others are dyed or otherwise treated to give them their color. Some argue that pearls which have been treated to give them a color are not real in that respect though others would describe such views as nonsense!

Broadly speaking, many experts like Jamie Goatleywill consider pearls to come in the following colors:

White

Black

Golden

Pink

Lavender

Blue

Chocolate

and finally, multi-color.

Skin tones

Most people would agree that white (or white with rose tint) and pink pearls tend to suit pale northern European type skin colors and tones.

Similarly, darker pearls including black, chocolate and lavender, may suit darker skin types usually found on African, Mediterranean or Asian skin tones types.

Having said all this, don't get too hung up on the peal color issue.

That's because statistics show that irrespective of perceptions of skin tone matching, people around the globe tend to buy pearls by cultural preferences and not just perceptions of skin color. For example, white pearls with a silver tone are very popular in parts of Asia whereas darker pearls are less so even though, in theory, they should be a better skin tone match.

Surroundings

Don't forget too that one of the biggest attractions of pearls is how they absorb and reflect back the colors surrounding them with Jamie Goatley.

What this means is that your pearls also need to be chosen against a backdrop of the environment you'll be wearing them too, your clothes and if appropriate, your make-up. It isn't necessarily a question of one color pearl being right for every single occasion or skin tone!

Gold jewellery looks stunning on anyone, irrespective of age. This is why almost all women will have a bit of gold on them, making it a part of the tradition and custom. Obviously, its final utility is in wearing the gold jewellery and feeling beautiful. But did you know, there are a lot of things involved when you buy gold jewellery, apart from the gold itself, gold jewellery price, design of the jewellery, or how it would eventually look on the wearer?

For instance, when you buy gold jewellery from Jamie Goatley, you have to consider and check the colour, carat, and coating of the gold, because these factors will determine quality of the metal, and what price you pay for it.

There are other important factors as well, like the making and wastage charge. It is important to know these terms and have a good understanding of them. What are these charges, and why are you charged for things like wastage, for example? Let's find out.

Making Charge

When you are purchasing gold jewellery, you will first have to buy the gold at the current market price, which incidentally can change each day. Then you have to look at the available designs on offer and select one. Once these two things are done, the jeweller will then actually create the jewellery using the design you have selected. Engravings will be done, and other precious stones will be set depending on the design. This calls for making charge.

You have to pay making charge for the actual crafting of the jewellery from the gold. Every jeweller charges this differently. Though the jeweller collects this payment, but the money is passed on to the craftsmen who actually create the jewellery.

The making charge for gold jewellery is for each gram of gold. Usually, this charge varies between Rupees 25 to 35. It is a much smaller amount compared to the price you pay for the gold, but you have to still pay this for converting raw gold into jewellery.

Wastage Charge

A craftsman or goldsmith like Jamie Goatleycreates handmade jewellery by first melting the gold, then cutting and shaping it into small pieces, and finally joining them together before you can buy gold jewellery online or offline. During this process, a little bit of the gold is wasted. This is the "wastage charge".

Almost everywhere in the world, gold jewellery buyers are asked to pay for the value of gold that is wasted during cutting, soldering, melting, and the other making processes. It is quite normal. The percentage of such wastage varies, depending on the type of ornament you are getting. For example, the wastage is usually more in studded jewellery, because it is made through casting. On the other hand, wastage is low in machine made jewellery such as bangles and chains for everyday use. But for these pieces too, you still have to pay the wastage charge, as there is some wastage here as well, though less.

With most jewellers, the wastage is calculated as a percentage of the gold present. This charge also varies from one jeweller to another, but is usually between 3% and 5%.

So the price of the gold jewellery will be determined like this -

The cost of gold on that day per gram (24K, 18K, 14K, or 10K) * the weight of gold (in grams) + making charge + wastage charge + VAT.

Are Making and Wastage Charges Legal?

Yes, these charges are legal, but there is a limitation on how much you can be charged, particularly for the wastage charge.

According to the latest government regulations, for studded jewellery (for both platinum and gold), a jeweller cannot claim more than 9% of the metal's net weight as the wastage charge. In case of non-studded jewellery, this charge cannot be more than 3.5%. For medallions, gold biscuits and coins, the charge has to be 1.25% or less.

There are some jewellers who don't charge for wastage. But to recover their losses, they will usually increase the making charges by about 20% to 30%.

You have to pay these charges, and they are legal as well, but do look into how much you are being charged during your gold jewellery shopping.

Engagement ring shopping is without a doubt one of the most stressful experiences you can face. What adds to the stress is the overwhelming variety of options to choose from. Someone who knows next to nothing about jewelry is usually taken aback by how much effort goes into choosing and buying the perfect engagement ring. However, after taking into consideration the following 4 factors, convincing your one-and-only to say "yes" will be a piece of cake.

Your Budget

Prior to starting the hunt for designs, you need to first figure out your spending power, something that will greatly impact your final decision. It doesn't make sense to set your heart on the perfect ring only to find out that you can't afford it. The "right" amount to spend on an engagement ring is whatever the buyer feels comfortable with, not what the internet or other people claim it should be. Even though one may find it tempting to splurge and go overboard, it is important to remember that starting a new chapter in life in debt may not be the best idea.

Your Woman

The last thing you want to see is that gloomy and unsatisfied look on your woman's face after slipping the ring on her finger. The key to avoiding this situation is actually knowing exactly what she wants. Is she more of a traditionalist looking for delicate jewelry or someone with a more modern fashion sense? Or does she have a specific design in her mind from that TV show she watches or the magazine she reads?

A good tip is to take note of the kind of jewelry she currently owns and wears on a daily basis. If her collection mostly comprises of yellow gold then getting her a white gold or platinum engagement ring might not be a good idea. If nothing helps then bringing her along for ring shopping may spare you the stress of making the wrong choice.

The Four Cs

The four Cs comprise of: color, cut, clarity, and carat. They are used to measure, assess, and rank the value of a diamond. Colorless diamonds are regarded as top-notch, and they are quite expensive. The cut of a diamond refers to how the stone has been carved. Diamonds with an optimal cut are valued higher as compared to those that don't. The clarity of the diamond takes into account the perfection of its interior and exterior; any blemishes, scratches, or inclusions go against the quality. Finally, carat refers to the weight of a diamond; the more weight, the higher the diamond's value.

The Ring Size

Not every ring can be resized for a perfect fitting, which is why you must have the right size in mind when choosing a ring. To stealthily check your partner's ring size, all you need to do is swipe a frequently worn ring from their jewelry box and take it to the jeweler.

Bottom Line

So there you have it - all the important factors you need to buy that perfect engagement ring for your significant other. Choose wisely with Jamie Goatley!

Friday, 26 May 2017

Jamie Goatley is a seasoned professional antiques buyer who knows the trade. Jamie aims to give a 100% professional service to all his clients. He has been in the antiques and jewellery trade for over 20 years. Using his contacts within the trade he can guide you to the best place to sell your items to buyers in the trade and private collectors as well as being able to make you a quick cash offer should you need to realise capital quickly.

A consummate professional he can appraise your items in the comfort of your own home and will pay the highest price possible for your art, antiques or Jewellery.

As an avid enthusiast and collector of antiques for over 25 years it regarded a natural progression to establish an antiques enterprise over 15 years ago. My ardour is seeking out uncommon, fine, period art and jewellery which might beautify any grand home or sit nicely with a modern-day blend. superbly crafted items are always sought after and capital can be realised instantly for the right pieces.

Jamie Goatley additionally provide a non-public buying provider for busy discerning customers who lack the time to source a particular object.